*/*/*
Tenuous Firelight
Vesli got himself comfortable on the diseased grass. The Ancestor's shadow loomed over him, causing him to edge further away from the statue. Bird had requested that their 'team' meet here today. As they were on a break from expeditions, he had no idea what she wanted. Well, Vesli had no intention on inviting Bird's wrath – the man just knew she was going to be terrifying if ever angered – so here he was. Sitting. Waiting.
"Hello Vesli. How fare you today?" Caillot greeted as the Occultist strolled up.
"Caillot," an answering nod, "I'm alright, though I admit I am curious as to what this is about."
"I have no answer to your inquiry. Veci's thought process could elude even the most educated scholar." Caillot folded himself gracefully onto the ground, fingers interlacing over the skull set in his lap.
"Always on your guard?" Vesli indicated the skull.
"I suspect my reasoning is similar to why you are never without your chains." Velsi had to forcibly stop himself from stiffening at that. "The skull is bound to me in a way many do not understand. It would also be ill-advised for another to touch it in inquiry. The Beast would not be pleased at their interference."
"You two are always so serious. You need to loosen up! I could oblige," Aela flopped onto the ground with her typical thump.
"No thank you, Aela," Vesli answered her before returning his attention to the earlier conversation. "I don't really know if the similarity you see is truly there, Caillot. My chains would likely not have some interdimensional deity reacting in vengeance to someone touching them. Frankly, no one has had the balls to make the attempt." Aela started to reach forward. Vesli looked at her hand then met her gaze. Her hand retreated to whence it came.
"I am perfectly content as I am, Aela. My thanks for the offer" Caillot too had no interest in accepting the Hellion's repeated offers. Then he answered, "The magic in the metal pulsates, Vesli. Slow and dark, it can go unnoticed by many. It is like a heartbeat, and in that deception, it can convince those unfamiliar with such things that it does not exist. Perhaps this is why you do not notice it."
Aela made a face, understanding very little of the conversation about magic. "So, it's like one of those lizards that change colors to hide in plain sight."
Vesli nodded at her approximation. "That's what the Occultist believes. I will say they used to itch like I'd gone and rolled myself in a patch of poisonous plants." He carefully drew his arms closer to himself. "I may have left a few scars on myself from over scratching. Nowadays I have to actively think about the chains to notice their weight, let alone the itch."
"Irritation caused by wearing the metal. Hypothesis confirmation." Bird, as per usual, had gone unnoticed until she spoke. The other three jumped. Vesli's claws left holes in the ground. Aela's halberd was in hand and the Hellion was on her feet. Caillot actually almost dropped the skull. The Occultist was the first to recover.
"Please do not do that, Veci. I almost drew my blade on you. Instinctive defense movements could cause you harm if you do not make more noise." The spice of his accent had acquired a scalding tone.
"Spirits! I'll make you wear a bell if you keep doing that!" Aela slowly returned to her former position.
"Apologies. Please continue the conversation. It was most fascinating." Her beak swung to indicate Vesli prompting, "Do you need assistance? I am skilled at ointments."
Inhale. Count to ten. It always seemed to occur more often where Bird was concerned. Exhale. "No. Thank you. I truly do not notice them without focusing on the matter."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Perhaps the short answer was a bit rude, but he would prefer the line of questioning stop getting so close to being about It. He wanted to keep that bit of information hidden away for as long as possible. Vesli observed the manacle on his wrist. That scratch was new. Likely caused by one of the fish people's spears. Wonder how long this one would last before the manacle looked like new again? The record was a month and half, a lost chunk of metal caused by a longsword meant for his face. "I apologize for my short words, Doctor. I meant no offense."
"There is none taken," Bird was rapidly scratching her notes.
"You did ask us all here Doctor," the man felt it was high time the subject was no longer focused on himself and the tenet in his mind; "What was it that you wanted?"
"Ah. Yes. I believe it would be most beneficial for us to have what is called 'team bonding'." Bird's enthusiastic tone wouldn't be so menacing if she didn't also use it when discussing the possibilities of keeping bits of the Eldritch monsters for study later.
The others looked at each other. One successful foray into the Cove did not mean that the next quest would have them working together smoothly. There was no denying that. If they wish to survive the trials of this horrid place, they would have to learn to trust each other.
"Well there's always my way," Aela smirked.
"I do not believe sex would result in a positive result," Bird dismissed the idea. "I have an alternate suggestion."
"And what is that?" Caillot questioned.
"A camping quest in the Warrens, " Bird almost preened in answer.
A camping quest? Vesli winced internally, careful to keep his expression neutral. Bird must have a sadistic sense of humor. Did she and Caillot even know anything about camping? May the Light scorch his soul, what if he and Aela (It had dubbed her She-beast, which Vesli thought was rather rude) had to teach Bird and the other resident scholarly type that outdoors – well indoors in the Warrens but still – were a thing that existed? Inhale. Count to ten this time. Exhale. No use winding himself up. It would be better to get a distinct yes or no on the matter before jumping to rash conclusions. Perhaps the two in question were experts in roughing it in the wilder parts of the world. It doubted that. Vesli scolded It that It didn't have to be such a pessimist.
"Don't you think that may be a bit drastic, Doctor?" Vesli decided to attempt reasoning.
"Perhaps. But we are very different. The chance of us successfully bonding into a cohesive team in the Hamlet is very low. I calculated it to be about approximately 5.36 percent." Only Bird would use math as a counter argument.
"How did you achieve such a number?" Caillot's smooth voice was the next to sound its doubts.
"By figuring likes, dislikes, personalities, places likely to be found, places we prefer not to be, and the chance of all four of those overlapping at once in a positive manner," Bird produced papers that had both complex mathematical figures and scribbled notes about each one of them. Vesli breathed a long sigh out of his nose as he saw 'singular eye spasm – to be investigated' under his name.
"Just looking at that is making my head hurt," Aela muttered, "Whatever you say then, Doc. I'm game for roughing it in the woods. Well, roughing it in the hallways." A smirk appeared on the Hellion's face. "Who knows, maybe it'll certainly be a 'rough' experience for all of us, hmm?"
Vesli decided to ignore that, and instead returned to his earlier concern. "Do either of you know anything about camping?" He gestured to include both scholars.
"… I admit to not being an expert on the matter, though I am not unfamiliar with the concept," Bird's answer had It sending a wave of smugness. Vesli shoved the sensation back.
"I have a similar situation to Veci. There are few reasons for my having long stays in the outdoors, but this would not be the first occasion in which I have slept in a less than ideal location," Caillot polished his skull, and Vesli could feel Its smugness return with a vengeance. "I have a way to ensure that no ruffian shall disturb our campsite while we sleep at the very least. It is an incantation, and while it may make you uneasy, I assure you of its validity." Two pairs of eyes and one pair of lenses looked at Caillot. "Really, it is quite secure."
"Well, trust has to come from somewhere," Aela spoke up at last. "Alright, handsome. I'll trust in this trickery of yours. But you get me killed and Spirits help me, I will come back from the dead to murder you in your sleep."
"Duly noted," Caillot assured.
*/*/*
The smell of the Warrens made Vesli's nose itch. He'd sneezed at least ten times during this trek. It was not fond of the stench either. Then the party had encountered a group of these worm-centipede creatures with overly large mandibles, one of which had bitten into his arm and had injected Vesli with something that made his skin burn.
Memories rushed into his mind, and the line between man and beast blurred. The Stone. The men. The experiments. The Fire on Its skin. It wanted to snap! It wanted to break! It wanted to tear! It wanted-! No! No, No, No! Vesli downed one of the purchased antivenoms before glaring at the stupid bug. Seeing the second mouth extending again, Vesli turned to the side, reaching out with reflexes of lightning born of years containing It. He grabbed the mouth and squeezing hard, ignoring the muffled scream from the soon to be dead bug, he spun around, using the momentum to swing the centipede like it was one of his chains, slamming the bug against the wall. With a crack and clatter of stone the bug exploded on impact as Vesli stood there panting. That was the pain of the past, Vesli! They then rounded on the nearest wall, and struck out. Crack! This pain! This was real! Not a figment of memory! Focus!
"Are you alright?" Bird's glove touched his arm, making them bare sharp teeth, head snapping towards her. "Pupils dilated. Eye color changed. Interesting symptoms. Perhaps a break in your psyche?" A low menacing snarl in answer. "You are having issues regaining control. I shall assist." Then Bird fished something out of her belt and stuck it under his nostrils. The man's eyes widened before he was reeling back, coughing, and holding his nose.
"By the fucking Light! What was that?!" He held onto the assaulted sensory organ. But his control had been returned to him. It had run from the sheer stinging foulness of that reeking pouch Bird held.
"Failed mixture of plague grenade. Thought adding carrion flower would increase potency. Got a harmless stink bomb instead. Carried it to supply a distraction if one was needed. Was originally intended for enemies. Hypothesized shock to a sense would assist you in regaining yourself. Hypothesis yielded positive results," Bird put the foul-smelling thing back onto her belt.
"I'd hardly call it harmless," Vesli finally released his abused nose. He took a few steadying breaths. "… thank you."
"Of course," Bird offered her hand up. Vesli accepted it, glancing at the silent members of their adventuring party.
"Well! That was bracing!" Caillot dusted off his robes "Do try to evade the mouths more, Vesli. While you did create a rather impressive crack in the wall, I admit a preference towards your steadier nature." Vesli looked at where he'd stuck the bricks. Sure enough, a sizable crack marred the ancient stonework. Oops. Well, parts of the wall were already crumbling anyways… maybe it could be passed off as a hit to an already unstable section?
"Spirits, that has me wishing we were in a cleaner area! Then I could show how much I appreciate that kind of strength!" Aela laughed. Vesli found himself edging away slightly.
"Do you ever not have sex on your mind?" Bird questioned. The Hellion paused to think. A few moments passed as she considered.
"Well, there are a few times," Aela mused, "Maybe?"
The other three released a collective sigh.
*/*/*
The group reached a room that seemed as good as any place to camp in the foul Warrens. Here they divided up the jobs. Vesli handled the wood and getting the fire going. Bird was in charge of the food – though Vesli made sure to watch her and make sure nothing too suspicious made its way into the pot. Aela was setting up barricades, just in case. Caillot took a seat, holing the skull in his hands. Dark energy started to flow as the Occultist began his chant. The sensation of something other brushed against the thee non-Occultist minds present, resulting in everybody else reaching for their weapons before realizing what they were doing. The sensation passed as quickly as it had come. The Warrens were back to just being a foul smelly place.
"There. None shall disturb us this night," Caillot promised. "They will sense the Beast and they will not come closer."
"Let us hope the things down here are that intelligent," Vesli murmured as the group settled into the least disgusting resting places available. From there, they settled into their own activities.
Aela took a whetstone to her glaive, tracing over the blade until it gleamed. She gave it a careful examination. "Much better."
Bird was back to her note taking. She shoved a pouch at Vesli. "Here… quaff this tonic. It restores the humors".
Knowing that Bird would likely stab him and then force feed it if he resisted, Vesli obeyed. He was unsure if he should be shocked when it did soothe his frayed nerves. As for himself, the man decided to keep his peace and try to get some sleep while firmly keeping the lock on Its cage.
*/*/*
Nothing ambushed them during the night. Caillot's skin-crawling trick had done its work. The party moved onward, exploring the Warrens and mapping the findings. This continued until they reached a dead end. There was nothing for it but to begin the trek back to the entrance they'd used. At least there was a clear path all the way back. The Swine had enough intelligence to not immediately re-infest a place they'd just gotten slaughtered in. And so, the four adventurers stumbled their way into sunshine. Or what passed for sunshine in the Hamlet.
"So, Madame Doctor, did we accomplish what you desired?" Vesli found himself asking.
Bird looked at their group. One by one she gazed at their faces. "Yes. I believe we have accomplished more synergy. Though progress can still be made."
He chuckled dryly. "I believe I agree with you, Doctor." It was still deciding if this counted as a 'pack'. Vesli let It think.
"I think we make a great team!" Aela gave a smile. "If we need to do more bonding-"
"No sex shall be involved in the matter," Caillot drawled "But I look forward to our continued accomplishments as a group."
"You are no fun!" the Hellion sulked.
